[ ABOUT ME: Jess ]
THE PERSON: I love music (anything but country). I love movies (2009: The Hurt Locker). I love traveling (next stop: Burma). I love photography (weapon of choice: Canon 40D). And most importantly, I love food.
If I could scuba dive every day, I would. I did a 3-day live aboard in the Similan Islands in Thailand. In one dive, I saw a whale shark and seven manta rays. It will probably be the best dive of my life.
I start law school (again) in August 2010. That will be a whole new challenge.
THE WEIGHT LOSER: Up until middle school, I was always the chubby kid. I was never picked last for sports teams, but I was never asked to dances either. High school was when my weight started becoming uncontrollable. My rebellious sweet sixteen led to me eating out on a daily basis while my relationship with my mother deteriorated. She was concerned about my health, I just didn’t want to listen.
Did I try to diet? You bet I did. Diet pills. Those shakes that counted as meal replacements. South Beach. Atkins. You name it. I even had a gym membership. But I don’t think I wanted to lose weight badly enough. It was a negative cycle. I would get depressed about my inability to control my weight which would lead me to binge eating. Depressed. Binge. Repeat. I graduated high school at 245 pounds.
2006. My first year at UCLA, I gained 18 pounds to a whopping 263 pounds (119.3 kg). At 5’6 (168 cm), that is just plain ridiculous. My knees couldn’t handle it. My lungs couldn’t handle it. My liver couldn’t handle it – I was pre-diabetic. My mom took matters into her own hands and discovered a weight loss summer camp just for girls. She asked if I would go. I agreed.
Eight weeks later. I had lost 50 pounds. I returned back to school and lost another 40 in one semester. In 6 months, I had lost 90 pounds. I was feeling good, working out, and I had confidence. At my lightest, I was 173. But then, I gained another 40 pounds back.
2007. I became a camp counselor at the weight loss camp, both to help encourage overweight girls as well as force myself to lose the weight. Success! I was back down to the 170s. But real life started again, and I gained 30 pounds back.
2008. College graduation. Since I never got to walk at my high school graduation (which is a whole other story), I wanted to look good for my parents for my college graduation. I worked hard, and got back down to the low 180s. I decided to take a year off before law school and study abroad in Shanghai, China. One of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Surrounded by good people who also loved cheap, delicious food, I ballooned back to 210 pounds.
2009. I made the best decision of my life. I packed my backpack up and set out on a 7-month trip around Southeast Asia. I spent a month in Vietnam, a month in Cambodia, three months in Thailand, 35 days in Laos, and three weeks in Malaysia plus a few days in Singapore. All the walking (and yes, hitchhiking was involved as well as crazy motorbike excursions) led me to lose 35 pounds. I came back to America feeling great and ready to attend my cousin’s wedding. Then law school started. I briefly attended George Washington Law School – and will be starting Fall 2010 again – before I decided I wanted to defer. I was losing control of my weight. Again.
End 2009. Maybe I was depressed. Maybe I had no direction. Whatever it was, it led me to gain back the weight I had lost while traveling. In a brief 5 months, I was back to 213 (or so I thought until I bought a new scale). This time though, is the last time.
February 2010. I decided to regain control of my weight and my life. I started recording what I ate and I joined a gym (24 Hour Fitness). I started cooking again for myself and instead of eating the same five dishes, I began tweaking recipes to make them healthier. I wrote down my recipes and attempted food photography. I started a blog.
Why? Because this gaining and losing habit is not sustainable. In simple words: I’m sick of being fat. I want to be healthy, happy, and living my mid-20s the way I want to live it. I want to fit into that little black dress. And I want to attain my goal of 140.
And maybe, just maybe, I can influence and change somebody’s life along the way.
Female. 25 years old. Chinese. Cook. Foodie. UCLA grad. Traveler. Musician. Scuba diver. GWU Law. Runner.
Great blog! So glad I found you! We have the same weight goal, even though I am about 4 inches shorter than you. So excited to read more of your blog. WE CAN DO IT!
Jess, I’m so proud of you! Keep up the good work! I can’t wait to see your transformation. I know you can do it!
Ah yes, deteriorating relationship with the “concerned” mother. BTDT! Just remember Jess, you have everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) you need right inside of you! It took me 40+ years to realize it…you’re gonna be just fine! I know it!
Hey Jess,
I just wanted to stop by to say Hi. As a fellow Asian blogger (who is, incidentally, also obsessed with food!), I wanted to let you know that I got your back, sistah. I love blogs like yours because they demonstrate that losing weight is not just about getting rid of the weight per se but about focusing on so many other enjoyable aspects of life – hence the other pages of wonderful interesting stuff you have put up on your blog! I love “Everything” Blogs like yours. Subscribed.
Hi Jess! Thanks again for your awesome comment on my blog! I’m so happy to have found yours. First of all, I love the name, layout, the fact that you talk about all of your interests on the blog — basically everything about it!
Second of all, it was great to read your story and to see that despite some “setbacks” you haven’t given up. It sounds like you have done some pretty amazing things in your life. And I have faith that this time, the change it going to stick! It sounds like you have a great plan/outlook and I’m looking forward to following along on your journey!
Great blog! I don’t remember how I got here, but I’m glad I did!
I just started learning to run. It’s been AWESOME! Stop by da blog sometime. I’d love to get your advice! Thanks! – Kirsten
I look forward to reading more. It sounds like we have similar stories. Depression is a powerful thing. I gained most of my weight as a result of medication and depression.
Jess- what a terrific blog! It’s so nice to see how you’ve chosen to focus on something that is truly important to you. I most certainly look forward to reading more about your weight loss journey
Best of luck!
Hey Jess, I found you through your thread on 20sb. Your blog is so inspiring! I’m not trying to lose weight, but I always talk about getting into shape. I’ve moved 1 block from a gym and I’ve gone once. Reading your blog makes me want to get off of the couch and actually sign up for the membership! Maybe I’ll even use it! haha
Great blog!!! you have done great
Wah! You look fabulous tonight!! When did I see you last time? How many pounds have you lost since I saw you last time? What an attractive lady you have become!! Keep up the good work.
this is why we added jess shen to our heros on myspace oh so long ago! =]
Just wanted to say Hello! I LOVE your blog! I just found it and your writing is superb. You are very inspirational. Thank you!
I found your blog through the HLB database & wanted to comment to say hello after reading this about your travel adventures. I’m off to Singapore next March, so I’m going to pick your brain for tips!
You are an inspiration! The ups and downs of weight loss are so easy to dismiss by people who don’t have a weight issue. “why can’t they just keep it off?”. If it was only so easy! Keep on being awesome and inspiring so many.
You truly are an inspiration to me! I have had ups and downs and I too have done to weight loss camp, only to gain the weight back. My senior year of college I lost 60 lbs, leaving me at 227. I just started law school and I just started to see it creep back up. Your posting have helped me re-center.
-Alexis
you go girl! i’m still plugging away at our challenge
here’s to being healthy and happy soon!
hey Jess,nice blog! really enjoy all your story and all your journey.keep up the good work and stay health.hope can meet you again someday=) (Jess a.k.a. awesome girl,i hosted her when she was in Malaysia)
Hello Jess! Just checked out your progress pix and WOW what a transformation. Congrats on the massive weight loss and getting healthy. I will defo be reading your updates – all the best with your journey
I came across a link to your blog while looking at Nerd Fitness. After reading your “About” page, man, it’s like reading a biography of my own life. I weighed 230 when I got out of high school, used diet pills and a low-carb diet to get down to 185, and then ballooned back up to 232 during college. I did Atkins, low-carb, pills, you name it. I just started out on the current round of Nerd Fitness’s 28 day challenge, and I’ve got to say, I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of your blog this month. My weight goal is also 140 – and it sounds your blog’s going to be very inspiring!
Kudos on the blog-iversary! And don’t say you’ve got gorilla feet; I think they’re cute.
Bet you’ve totally got fat again.
Ha! Agree whole heartedly with Liz. Weightloss/Healthy living blogger?? Give me a break – Once a fattie, always a fattie.